YDance are delighted to announce that after the success of the three year Dance in Schools Innitiative (DISI) they are once again joining forces with the Scottish Government Health Department on a new Project to get teenage girls active through dance. As part of the Health Department's ongoing commitment to combat obesity in the young people of Scotland they are funding this three year Initiative to encourage girls aged between 14 and 18 to explore dance as an alternative to PE and other sports activities.

Shona Robinson, Minister for Public Health said:
'The benefits of physical activity to health and wellbeing are enormous and the Scottish Government is commited to increasing participation across all ages. Declining activity levels among adolescent girls is however a particularly worrying trend and this new investment will give young women more opportunities and choices to enjoy the social, psychological and physical benefits of movement and exercise. Activities such as dance are likely to be a far more attractive option for many girls and young women than competitive sports, and can also promote mental health and wellbeing by increasing teenagers' confidence and self esteem.'

The initiative will be rolled out across Glasgow, Ayrshire and Orkney and is designed to create opportunities for teenage girls to get active by providing dance sessions after school, in the evenings and at weekends. It will build on existing partnerships as well as establish new collaborations with a range of organisations and agencies including SportScotland, Youth Scotland, the Active Schools Ntework, Health Promoting Schools, the education, culture, community and youth sectors of the local councils involved and Arts/Dance Development Officers.

The aims of the project are as follows:
- to use dance to promote physical activity in secondary age girls who are not participating in other PE and sport activities
- to use dance to promote a sense of physical and emotional wellbeing
- to develop the individual through dance
- to use dance to attain and develop core skills such as communication and team work
- to encourage secondary pupils and school leavers to take certificated courses or community leader courses in dance

YDance Executive Director Carolyn Lappin commented:
'I am delighted that the Scottish Government Health Department has agreed to fund our new Initiative to encourage teenage girls in Scotland to get active through dance. After the success of DISI this exciting new project will allow us to focus on bringing the benefits of dance to teenage girls - an often challenging group pf young people to engage with. In fact we are planning to kick off interest in the Project by working with a group of young women from secondary schools in Glasgow to come up with a name for the initiative. We feel it's really important that this is relevant to the girls we want to get involved.'

The Project is already in the early stages of development and YDance Project Director Anna Kenrick is commited to a programme of meetings and planning sessions with contacts across Glasgow, Ayrshire and Orkney to ensure that the new Initiative is tailored to the varying needs of an urban community, a rural community and an island one.

Ann Kenrick said:
'There has been a tremendously positive response to our new project from all the organisations we have contacted and the teenage girls we have spoken to. It is essential that we look at existing delivery methods and communication channels in each of the three areas to enable us to effectively reach young women who are inactive or have not had the opportuity or confidence to dance. In Orkney we are ensuring that dance sessions are accessible to young women across the Islands, in North, East and South Ayrshire there has been a huge interest from Youth Services and the Active Schools Network and in Glasgow we are targeting regeneration areas in partnership with with Active Schools Network and Community Learning Team.'

YDance's new Project will begin delivering workshops in the three targeted areas in August 2008 and will continue until the end of March 2011.

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All post holders will work a 36 hour week delivering dance workshops out of school hours and where required in the community. Hours of work will generally be Monday - Friday, with some flexibility in working hours required according to the demands of the post. There are 3 Dance Development Officer positions available one based in Glasgow, one based in Ayrshire and one based in Orkney. There are 3 Dance Worker positions available two based in Glasgow and one based in Ayrshire.

Closing date for all positions is Friday 2 May, 2008.

For an application pack and more information email info@scottishyouthdance.org or call 0141 552 7712.

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If you are aged 12 - 18, why not try out the latest street, contemporary and creative dance styles for free this month.

Classes will be taking place on 16th February and March 1st/8th/15th/29th from 2pm -3.30pm at The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Glasgow.

Contact Sarah Stuart on 0141 552 7712 or email sarahs@scottishyouthdance.org for more information or call Platform Box Office on 0141 276 9696 (opt 1) to book your place.

Does this area not suit you? Don't worry we'll be bringing our free dance classes to other areas, keep checking our website for details or sign up to our e-newsletter.

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Are you a refugee or asylum seeker living in the Glasgow area? Do you like to dance? Are you aged 16 - 25? Then come and join our Dance Group!

Where and When
We meet at 74 Trongate, Glasgow every Tuesday at 7.00pm and try out lots of different dance styles - share ones you already know with the group and learn some new moves too.

Refugee Week
The group will create a new dance piece to be performed at the The Tron during Refugee Week 2008 - 17 and 18 June.

Find Out More
Come along to our open evening at 74 Trongate on Tuesday 5 February 2008 7pm - 9pm. Or you can contact us on 0141 552 7712 or info@scottishyouthdance.org.

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What is Project Y?
Project Y is a performance company for young dancers which was established by YDance in 2006.

What's Involved?
Project Y will take place over 4 weeks in July/August 2008. Participants explore a range of contemporary dance styles with Andy Howitt (YDance Artistic Director) and other guest choreographers and in the final week tour arts venues across Scotland with a selection of innovative new dance works.

Are You Eligible?
If you are aged between 16 and 21, have a passion for dance and want to develop your skills with a view to progressing to professional dance training then Project Y is for you.

How To Apply
Request an application form by phone on 0141 552 7712 or email info@scottishyouthdance.org. Deadline for apllications is Friday 16 February 2008 and auditions will be held throughout February and March 2008.

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YDance street dance workshops will be taking place at BBC Blast on Thursday 11 October 2007. Try out new moves and learn new steps from professional dancers, then out together a routine. No experience required - just come along and get moving.

Get on the floor and breakdance with YDance on Saturday 13 October 2007. Learn how to perfect the moves you need to look good on the breakdance floor.

For more information or to book your FREE workshop place go to www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/blast

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This new production takes audiences on a journey to the heart of Corryvreckan, the third largerst whirlpool in the world, as well as bringing the myths and legends of this Scottish Maelstrom to life. The tour takes place throughout October and November and includes dates in Scotland, England and the Republic of Ireland.

Andy Howitt, the choreographer and YDance's Artistic Director said:
'The inspiration for this new production came from a newspaper advert for a trip to the Gulf of Corryvreckan. It captivated me and after some research into the myths and legends of the whirlpool I was completely hooked. The legend of Prince Breakan and the Hagof Winter are perfect solo pieces and th fluidity of the whirlpool called out to be represented by the effortless movement of a male/female dance duet. By combining these elements with an original scoreby Alasdair Nicholson and a video back drop by Mark Ritchie I hope audiences will be able to experience the power, shape and colour of the whirlpool and its history first hand.'

YDance has brought in two exciting young dancers to play the male and female roles in Corryvreckan - Jodie Blemings and Lorraine Jamieson. Jodie's most recent performances include the role of Jack Frost in the West End production of The Snowman, choreographed by Robert North and Kathy Marsdon's Bird of the Night. Lorraine has danced with Spinal Chord, On the Runn Dance Productions and Smallpetitklein as well as dancing in YDance's Story of the Blues.

As part of the Company's ongoing commitment to help young people get active and develop their creativity through dance YDance is also offering workshops to accompany the production. The Corryvreckan performers, Lorraine and Jodie, will be leading the sessions which will be based around the content of the show exploring the movement of the whirlpool and its myths and legends. An education pack with materials relating to the production will also be available.

Corryvreckan is touring venues and schools across Scotland and the Republic of Ireland throughout October and November 2007 including performances at the Barboro International Arts Festival for Children (Galway), Roscommon Arts Centre (Co. Roscommon), Platform (Glasgow), Cooper Gallery (Barnsley) and Gilmorehill G12 (Glasgow).

CORRYVRECKAN ON TOUR

Argyll & Bute Schools
1 - 5 October 2007

East Ayrshire Schools
8 - 12 October 2007

Barboro International Arts Festival for Children, Galway, Ireland
16 - 19 October 2007
00353 (0)90 6625824 www.roscommonartscentre.ie

Platform, Glasgow
26 October 2007
0141 276 9696 (opt 1) www.platform-online.co.uk

Cooper Gallery, Barnsley
27 October 2007
01226 242905

Broughton High School, Edinburgh
29 October 2007

Fortrose Academy, Dingwall
2 November 2007

Gilmorehill G12, Glasgow
5 November 2007
0141 330 5522 www.gilmorehillg12.co.uk

Forres Town Hall, Forres
10 November 2007
www.neatshows.org.uk

Press tickets are available by containing Victoria Ram, Press Assistant on 0141 552 7712 or victoria@scottishyouthdance.org

Photo Opportunities

To arrange a photocall or for copies of Corryvreckan production shots please contact Victoria Ram, Press Assistant on 0141 552 7712 or email victoria@scottishyouthdance.org

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Alice in Urbanland Workshops
Alice in Urbanland

Date: 15 - 19 October 2007
Time: Daily 10.30am - 4.30pm
Place: The Town House, South Lanarkshire
Age group: 9 - 16
Price: £12.00
The week will culminate with a performance in Rutherglen Town Hall at 4pm.

Date: 8 - 12 October 2007
Time: Daily 10am - 4pm
Place: The Cat Stand, Castle Douglas
Age group: 10 - 18
Price: £25.00
The week will culminate with a performance in The Cat Stand at 4pm.

October Workshops

Date: 15 - 17 October 2007
Time: Daily 10am - 3pm
Place: Bellshill Cultural Centre, Bellshill
Age group: 8 - 15
Price: £18.00
The course will culminate with a performance in Bellshill Cultural Centre at 2.30pm.

Date: 15 - 17 October 2007
Time: Daily 10am - 3pm
Place: Sir John Wilson Town Hall, Airdrie
Age group: 8 - 15
Price: £18.00
The course will culminate with a performance in Sir John Wilson Town Hall at 2.30pm.

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YDance are looking for volunteers with an interest in dance for their Big Lottery Mentoring Project which is taking place in five Local Authorities across Scotland - Argyll & Bute, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Midlothian and West Lothian. Over the course of the year, these volunteers will take part in a structured term time programme which will provide them with the skills to help develop and sustain dance provision in their area.

There are four main aspects to the Big Lottery Mentoring Project. Theses are the Big Weekend, the Big Dance Workshops, the Big Chat and the Big Help. The Big weekend is a two day residential experience during which the participants will learn about choreography, health and safety, physiology and a range of different dance styles including Breaking, Capoeria, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop and Dance for Theatre. Another aspect of the programme, is the provision of dance workshops within each of the five local authority areas previously mentioned. Volunteers are encouraged to attend these Big Dance Workshops, which take place weekly during school term time, to observe and work with YDance Tutors.

The volunteers are also allocated a YDance mentor for the period of the training programme. This Mentor provides ongoing support and training and will meet with their volunteer on a monthly basis for the Big Chat- an opportunity for the volunteers to talk through concerns, issues and to receive feedback on their progress.

The final segment of the project is the Big Help. A portion of the Project's funding is allocated to each Local Authority to help sustain the delivery of the dance programme initiated by YDance. The YDance mentors will liaise with the volunteers and Local Authorities on the most effective use of this funding before the end of the project.

How to Apply-
Anyone with an interest in dance who eighteen or over and who is willing to commit to a year long programme should send their CV and a covering letter to Yvonne Young at the addres below. The letter should explain why you want to take part in the programme and how it would benefit you and the young people in your area.

Yvonne Young
YDance
Ladywell Business Centre
94 Duke Street
Glasgow
G4 0UW

or email:

yvonne@scottishyouthdance.org

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YDance has brought together twenty eight of the UK's best young dancers for PROJECT Y 2007 and the Company is now in residence at The Space in Dundee. Over the next four weeks they will be working closely with guest choreographers and dance specialists on new pieces for a short Scottish tour which opens at The Space, Dundee on Saturday 28 July at 7.30pm.

Andy Howitt said:
'After the sucess of Project Y 2006 we are delighted to be back again this year. Project Y bridges the gap between local youth dance and professional training and is an invaluable opportunity for the young dancers involved. We've auditioned for participants up and down the country and worked closely with the dance community to make sure the best, most dynamic and enthusiastic performers make up the 2007 Company.'

During Project Y 2007 the participants will work with four top class contemporary dance choreographers - Andy Howitt (Artistic Director, YDance), Katy McKeown (Education Director, YDance), Lisi Perry (Artistic Director, Collision) and Thomas Small (Artistic Director, Smallpetitklein). Each choreographer brings their unique style and way of working to the project and by the end of the four weeks will have created a new work for the Company. MUNGO PARK (Andy Howitt) is inspired by the life of the 17th century explorer of the same name , HIATUS (Katy McKeown) combines elements of chance and improvisation with music by Quee Macarthur, NEW WORK (Lisis Perry) is a high energy creation which combines physicality with humour and RUSH (Thomas Small) is a fast paced fusion of contemporary dance styles.

TOUR DATES:

The Space, Dundee College
Saturday 28 July, 2.30pm & 7.30pm
01382 834 934

The Arches, Glasgow
Tuesday 31 July & Wednesday 1 August, 7.30pm
0870 240 7528 www.thearches.co.uk

The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
Friday 3 & Saturday 4 August , 7.30pm
01224 642 230 www.lemontree.org

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Date: Monday 23 July 2007
Time: 10am - 3pm
Place: The Arches
Age group: 8 -11
This class is suitable for all abilities and will explore street, contemporary and creative dance skills
Booking Info: Arches box office on 0870 240 7528, open 9am - 8pm (Mon -Sat) and 12 - 6pm (Sun)
Price: £10

Date: Wednesday 23 - Friday 25 July
Time: 10 am - 4pm daily
Place: The Arches
Age group: 12- 15 & 16 - 18
This class is suitable for all abilities and will explore street, contemporary and creative dance skills. A final performance will be held on the 27 July in The Arches Studio Theatre at 4.30pm.
Booking Info: Arches box office on 0870 240 7528, open 9am - 8pm (Mon - Sat) and 12-6pm (Sun)
Course cost - £25

Alice in Urbanland Summer School
Date: Monday 9 July - Friday 13 July
Time: 10am - 4pm daily
Place: Rutherglen Town Hall
Age group - 10 - 16
Suitable for all abilities, this week long course will include street, break, contemporary and creative workshops with an urban theme and will culminate with a performance at the end of the week.
Booking Info: Book in person at the box office in Rutherglen Town Hall, 139 Main Street or call 0141 613 5700.
Course cost: £12

Alice in Urbanland Summer School
Date: 23 - 27 July
Time: 10am - 3.45pm
Place: Bishopbriggs High School
Age goup: 10 - 18
Suitable for all abilities, this week long course will include street, contemporary, break and creative dance workshops with an urban theme and will culminate with a performance at the end of the week.
Booking Info: Call Kilmardinny Arts Centre on 0141 931 5083
Course cost: £40.00

Dumfries & Galloway Summer School's

Date: 17 - 20 July
Time: 10am - 3pm
Place: Kircudbright Academy Sports Centre
Price: Free (£10 refundable deposit required to secure place)

Date: 24 - 27 July
Time: 10am - 3pm
Place: Newington Sports Centre, Annandale
Price: Free (£10 refundable deposit required to secure place)

Date : SOLD OUT
Time: 10am - 3pm
Place: David Keswick Centre, Dumfries
Price: Free (£10 refundable deposit required to secure place)

Date: 14 - 17 August
Time: 10am - 3pm
Place: Ryan Centre, Stranraer
Price: Free (£10 refundable deposit required to secure place)

All of the Dumfries and Galloway summer schools are suitable for all abilities and can be booked on 01387 245 918.

Date: 6 -9 August
Time: 10am - 3pm
Place: Lorne & Lowland Church, Campbeltown
Age group: 8 - 18
For booking information contact Lindsay Owen on 07917 073 424

Date: 17 - 19 July
Time: 10am - 3pm
Place: Buccleuch Centre, Langholm
Age group: 8+
Booking Info: 01387 381 196

Date : 23 - 27 July
Time: 10am - 3pm
Place: Shetland, Venue TBC
Age group: P7 - S6
Booking Info: 01595 744 000

Date: 30 - 3 July
Time: 10am - 3pm
Place: Shetland, Venue TBC
Age group: P4 -P7
Booking Info: 01595 744 000

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In Autumn 2007, YDance will tour a new production aimed at children aged 7 and over. Corryvreckan will be based around the facts and legends surrounding the Corryvreckan Whirlpool - one of the most dangerous whirlpools in the world - which is situated off the coast of Jura.

The Gulf of Corryvreckan is over 300 feet deep but when the whirpool is at full power the depth of the water is less than a hundred feet. The particular cause of this awesome power is a subterranean spike, called An Cailleach, off the coast of Scarba which causes the great Atlantic to form into a giant vortex.

In Scottish mythology the hag Cailleach Beara uses the gulf of Corryvreckan to wash her plaid; the whirlpool was her washtub. By winter the cloth was white and became the blanket of snow that falls over Scotland in January.

The most famous Corryvreckan legend tells of the Scandinavian Prince, Breakan, who fell in love with a Princess of Jura, whose father consented to the marriage on condition that Breakan should show her skill and courage by anchoring his boat for three days and three nights in the whirlpool.

Breakan accepted the challenge and returned to Norway, where he had three cables made - one of hemp, one of wool and one from maidens' hair. The women of Norway willingly cut off their hair and plaid the rope. It was believed that the purity and innocence of the maidens would give the rope strength to stand the strain.

Breakan returned and anchored in the whirpool. On the first day the hemp rope parted but they survived the night. On the second day, the woollen rope parted in a strong wind but they survived the night again. On the last day they set the plaited cable of hair and all went well until a gale of wind broke the rope. The boat was sucked under by the currents and a surviving crewman and Breakan's dog dragged the body of Breakan ashore - he was buried in the King's cave.

Corryvreckan will be choreographed by YDance Artistic Director Andy Howitt, to new music by Alasdair Nicolson.

The performance will be accompanied by workshop sessions and an education pack which will cover links to Scottish history, geography, geology and science.

Corryvreckan will be available to tour from 1st - 27th October 2007.
For further details or to book a performance please contact Carolyn Lappin or Kati Clark on 0141 552 7712 or email carolyn@scottishyouthdance.org.

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Weird happenings, strange creatures, magical potions and surreal landscapes will all feature as the action of Lewis Carroll's infamous novel is updated to an urban setting.

A week of dance workshops (including street, break, creative and contemporary) will culminate with a performance - possibly featuring a live DJ, film and documentary - allowing young people to showcase their skills.

With a soundtrack featuring everything from classical, through hip hop to chart tunes, 'Alice' will be an energetic and creative production project with plenty of pop culture references and a heavy dose of nostalgia.

Age group: 10-16 year olds.
Times: Monday - Friday, 10-4pm
Performance: Friday 4pm

Project includes:
2 professional dancers to play Alice and the white rabbit.
An extra 3 dance tutors to teach workshops.
A Stage Manager for performance set-up.
Costumes & props.
Technical equipment.
Provision for up to 50 young people.

What you will need:
One large space for performance.
Access to smaller spaces for workshop break-out groups.

For more info and costs contact Yvonne Young, Dance Development Officer on 0141 552 7712 or email yvonne@scottishyouthdance.org.

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April - June 2006
Stirling/Clackmannanshire
Orkney/Highlands

October - December 2006
Moray/East Dunbartonshire
Dundee/Argyll & Bute

January - March 2007
East Renfrewshire/Borders
Aberdeenshire/North Ayrshire

Year 3
April - June 2007
Falkirk/East Ayrshire
West Dunbartonshire/Shetland

October - December 2007
Western Isles/East Lothian
Aberdeen/Fife

January - March 2008
Renfrewshire/Angus
South Ayrshire/North Lanarkshire

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